Impact Absorbing Shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe has a sole member which has a fluid chamber in the front, a fluid chamber in the back, and a channel which connects the two fluid chambers. A viscous fluid is contained in each of the fluid chambers. An orifice or a valve is disposed within the channel, where the orifice or valve provides for limited flow of the viscous fluid between the two chambers as the chambers are subjected to a change in loading as a user walks in the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The human foot ultimately bears the weight of each individual, performing its function day in and day out. The foot, generally comprising the heel, arch, sole, and base of the toes, not only carries the load of the individual, but also subjected to sudden impact and trauma during each step the individual takes. The continuous wear and tear to which the foot is subjected are compensated, at least partially, by the repairs which are implemented by the inherent mechanics and physiology of the human body. However, as with other parts of the human body, age, disease, and repetitive use can exacerbate the wear and tear on the feet leading to mobility problems and difficulties in exercising which, in turn, create a downward spiral in overall health.

Various diseases include neuropathy as a complication, where the person loses pain and touch sensation in various extremities. In the case of neuropathy of the feet, the person loses the ability to recognize that repetitive trauma to the feet has reached a level which will cause tissue death and destruction to the weight bearing parts of the feet. For these persons, having footwear which reduces the repetitive trauma to the feet is highly desirable. Healthy individuals who do not suffer from such disorders nevertheless can suffer discomfort and pain as a result of repeated trauma to the feet which occur daily from standing, walking, or even sitting. Thus, both diseased and healthy individuals may benefit from footwear which reduce repetitive trauma to the feet.

Notwithstanding the above-identified health issues associated with repetitive trauma to the feet, the typical response in addressing these issues is to buy regular or special shoes, and perhaps utilize some special type of support system whether suitable or not in an effort to alleviate discomfort to the feet. A variety of solutions to foot pain have been suggested, such as slip-in replaceable soles or arch supports or to acquire custom-made shoes to provide comfort, and possibly prevent further injury and facilitate the healing of various wounds. However, it is desirable to have shoes which can be adjusted for comfort on demand, which can make standing and walking more comfortable, reduce trauma to the feet according to the demand imposed on the feet on a daily basis, and provide for easy and regular adjustment according to the intensity of the repetitive trauma imposed upon the feet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention meets the needs identified above by providing a shoe which either automatically adjusts, or which can be manually adjusted, to meet the specific stress and loads a user's feet are being subjected and to provide particular support as required by a particular user's feet. Embodiments of the present invention reduce repetitive trauma to the feet, which is particularly significant for persons suffering from diabetes, thereby reducing the chances of developing diabetic wounds. Embodiments of the present invention reduce repetitive trauma to neuropathic feet, thus reducing the chances of developing trophic wounds and/or ulcers. Embodiments of the present invention actively adjust the pressure and contact points with the user's feet and thereby markedly dampen the repetitive trauma to various parts of the foot, including the heel, metatarsal heads and roots of the toes, and provides optimal and re-adjustable support to the arch of the foot.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise at least two fluid reservoirs connected by a connecting channel, wherein the connecting channel has an internal valve or restricting orifice which provides for controlled flow between the two reservoirs as the loading within the shoe changes, where the fluid flows along the longitudinal axis of the shoe, i.e., back and forth from front to back. The reservoirs and the connecting channel may comprise an hour-glass configuration, wherein a valve member or restriction is disposed within the narrow portion of the hourglass. For shoes having heels, one reservoir may be disposed within the sole portion of the shoe and the other reservoir may be disposed within the heel portion of the shoe. For shoes having no distinct heel, both reservoirs may be disposed within the sole of the shoe. It is the movement of the liquid between the two reservoirs that allows the rapid changing of the pressure and contact points with the user's feet. This fluid movement may occur rapidly so as to accommodate and absorb the sudden impact and repetitive trauma to the heel and rear portion of the sole, but the flow is modulated by the valve or flow restriction between the reservoirs, such that the foot is not subjected to constantly changing pressure points in the supporting pads, but rather a sense of the foot being constantly supported throughout the foot's range of motion. Modulation of the flow may further be provided by the viscosity of the fluid contained within the reservoirs. The fluid may comprise water, glycols, glycerin, or other organic liquids as one of their principal components. The fluid may also utilize a variety of thickening agents that are designed to increase the viscosity of the fluid and reduce its naturally occurring free flowing characteristics

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise a central sole member which comprises multiple fluid reservoirs, where the fluid reservoirs are separated by valves or other flow restrictions which control the flow of viscous fluid between the different reservoirs. The reservoirs are bound on the periphery by pad members, which provide support to the user's feet. As the fluid pressure increases within a particular reservoir, the pad member which is bound to that particular reservoir is provided additional support. As the distribution of fluid changes between the reservoirs, the support provided to the plurality of pads shifts in accord with the fluid distribution in the reservoirs. The valve between the reservoirs modulates the flow of the viscous fluid, such that the change in support corresponds to the particular portion of the shoe which is subjected to the greatest loading. The change in support therefore accommodates the particular changes in loading imposed by the shoe on the foot. For example, as the ball of the foot strikes the ground, such that the ball portion of the sole member is subjected to the greatest load, the fluid will transfer from the reservoir adjacent to the ball portion of the sole member, to a reservoir adjacent to the heel in anticipation of additional support required for that portion of the foot.

The reservoirs may comprise a matrix material, such as sponge, which contains the viscous fluid and which further modulates the exchange of fluid between the different reservoirs.

The reservoir contained within the sole or front portion of the shoe (the “main reservoir”) may be in communication with one more extension chambers, which may be disposed in various locations within the sole member such as adjacent to the medial longitudinal arch.

An interconnecting channel is disposed between adjacent reservoir chambers in the front and rearward portion of the shoe. The interconnecting channel has a position, with respect to the sides of the shoe, which is between the portion of the shoe adjacent to the medial longitudinal arch and the portion adjacent to the opposing outside of the foot. This interconnecting channel may have an hourglass shape which has a long axis generally parallel to the long axis of the foot. A valve member may be disposed within the interconnecting channel, where the valve has a body having a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the interconnecting channel. The valve may allow flow either through an axial opening, or around the peripheral edges of the valve body, between the inside facing walls of the interconnecting channel and the outwardly facing walls of the valve body. The valve body may also be adapted to have limited axial motion through the interconnecting channel such that flow is allowed when the valve body is displaced to a particular location within the interconnecting channel, where the valve body is displaced by pressure asserted by the fluid contained within one of the interconnected chambers.

The shoe may also comprise an adjustable pad on the medial side, where the position of the pad may be changed with respect to the medial lateral arch. The adjustable pad may comprise a position screw or other position setting mechanism which allows the pad to be adjusted for comfort. Alternatively, the adjustable pad may be adjacent to another reservoir, the medial reservoir, which is in communication with the forward and rearward reservoirs contained within the sole, such that the positioning of the adjustable pad is set by the pressure within the medial reservoir. The Medial reservoir may be in communication with the forward and rearward reservoirs by ports contained within an interior wall which separates and defines each of the reservoirs.

The reservoirs of the central sole member are sealed on the lower portion (i.e., toward the ground) by a sole tray and on the upper portion by a sole cover.

Embodiments of the disclosed shoe may further comprise a compartment or pocket located in the portion of the shoe adjacent to the medial arch into which any one of a variety of arch support members may be inserted according to the needs of the user. The arch support pocket may have a flexible top which stretches according to the dimensions of the particular arch support member which is inserted within the pocket. The arch support member may also be secured in place by a screw. As indicated in FIG. 7, a variety of different size arch support members may be tried to find a particular comfort level for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of an embodiment of a shoe of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a sectioned view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of a sole member utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the view of FIG. 2 with a valve or orifice insert between the fluid reservoirs removed.

FIG. 3A shows an alternative embodiment of a valve which may be utilized in embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a sectioned view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the sole tray utilized in embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a sectioned view along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of a sole cover which seals over embodiments of the sole member depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a sectioned side view of an embodiment of a sole member taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a sectioned side view of an embodiment of a sole member as generally depicted in FIG. 2, showing how exchangeable arch support members may be utilized to accommodate the feet of different users.

FIG. 7A shows a close-up view of a variety of different arch support members may be utilized with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of an embodiment of a shoe 100 which may have the fluid reservoirs described herein. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a sole member 10 utilized in the disclosed shoe. Sole member 10 may comprise forward reservoir 12 and rear reservoir 14. Sole member 10 may further comprise a medial reservoir 16. Forward reservoir 12 and rear reservoir 14 may be separated by interconnecting channel 18, best seen in FIG. 3. An orifice insert 20 or a valve body 20′ may be disposed within interconnecting channel 18. Orifice insert 20 comprises an axially-oriented aperture 22 which allows limited fluid flow. Alternatively, or in addition to aperture 22, fluid flow may occur in small channels 24 (or peripheral flow channels) which are defined between the outward facing sides of valve body 20′ and the inside facing walls of interconnecting channel 18. Valve body 20′ floats axially within interconnecting channel 18, such that the fluid flow through the small channels 24 may increase or decrease as the valve body either moves forwardly or rearwardly.

As yet another alternative, valve body 20″ may comprise a plug 23 which is moveable within aperture 22′ as the force at one side of the plug is greater than the opposing side of the plug, such that the plug 23 moves laterally through aperture 22′ as the pressure changes within the forward reservoir 12 and rear reservoir 14. Plug 23 has a length which exceeds the length of aperture 22′. Plug 23 has ends 25 which seal against the respective sides when the pressure in the forward reservoir 12 exceeds the pressure in the rear reservoir 14 or vice-versa, thus modulating the flow of the viscous fluid between the reservoirs when the pressure differential is sufficiently high to press end 25 against the valve body 20″.

Additionally, fluid flow may occur between medial reservoir 16 and either forward reservoir 12 and rearward reservoir 14 through flow channel 26 in the wall 28 which separates the different reservoirs. Reservoirs 12, 14, 16 are bound on the bottom by sole tray 30, on the top by sole cover 32, and on the sides by wall members 34.

Any of the reservoirs 12, 14, 16 may further contain a sponge-like matrix 27. Contained within each of the reservoirs 12, 14, 16 is a viscous fluid or gel which is stored within the sponge-like matrix 27. An insertion valve 50 which penetrates into any one of the reservoirs 12, 14, 16 may be disposed within sole member 10 for the insertion of additional viscous fluid or gel as may be required.

Embodiments of the shoe may also comprise an adjustable pad 36 on the medial side, where the position of the pad may be changed with respect to the medial lateral arch. The adjustable pad 36 may comprise a position screw 38 or other position setting mechanism which allows the pad to be adjusted for comfort. Additionally, the adjustable pad 36 may be adjacent to another reservoir such as medial reservoir 16 which may be fluid in communication with either the forward reservoir 12 and/or the rearward reservoir 14. In this configuration, the positioning of the adjustable pad 36 by either be set by position screw 38 or by the pressure within the medial reservoir 16, with the adjustable pad 36 allowed to float.

FIG. 6 shows a sectioned side view of a portion adjacent to the medial arch of an embodiment of a sole member 10 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3. This embodiment comprises an arch support pocket 46 which may be utilized to insert an arch support member 40. Arch support pocket 46 has an unyielding inner vertical wall, but may have a flexible top 42 which stretches according to the dimensions of the particular arch support member 40 which is inserted within the pocket. The arch support member 40 may also be secured in place by a screw 44. As indicated in FIG. 7, a variety of different size arch support members may be tried to find a particular comfort level for the user.

While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited according to these factors, but according to the followed appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising: a medial side and a lateral side; an upper having a lasting margin; a sole member have an upper member and a lower member, a lateral side and a medial side, and a forward section and a rearward section separated by a midsole section, the upper member having a peripheral edge attached to the lasting margin of the upper, wherein the forward section comprises a first fluid chamber and the rearward section comprises a second fluid chamber; a viscous fluid disposed in the first fluid chamber and in the second fluid chamber; a channel disposed in the midsole section, the channel connecting the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber; and an orifice disposed in the channel wherein the orifice provides for a limited flow of the viscous fluid through the orifice between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber as the forward section and the rearward section are subjected to a change in loading as a user walks in the shoe.
 2. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the sole member is sealed at a bottom of the sole member by a sole tray.
 3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the channel comprises an hourglass configuration having a long axis generally parallel to a long axis of the shoe and the orifice is disposed within a narrow portion of the hourglass.
 4. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber comprise an inner matrix material which absorbs the viscous fluid.
 5. The shoe of claim 1 further comprising a medial fluid chamber disposed on the medial side of the shoe, the viscous fluid disposed within the medial fluid chamber.
 6. The shoe of claim 5 wherein the viscous fluid in the medial fluid chamber may flow into either the first fluid chamber, the second fluid chamber, or into both the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.
 7. The shoe of claim 1 comprising an adjustable pad on the medial side.
 8. The shoe of claim 7 wherein the position of the adjustable pad may be changed with respect to a user's medial lateral arch.
 9. The shoe of claim 8 wherein the adjustable pad comprises a position screw which allows the position of the adjustable pad to be fixed in a desire position by the user.
 10. The shoe of claim 1 comprising an arch support pocket on the medial side, wherein an arch support is disposed within the arch support pocket.
 11. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the arch support pocket comprises an elastic side which retains the arch support within the arch support pocket
 12. The shoe of claim 10 wherein the arch support pocket is configured to receive different sizes of arch supports.
 13. The shoe of claim 10 where the arch support is retained within the arch support pocket by a screw.
 14. The shoe of claim 2 wherein a fluid insertion valve is disposed within the sole tray, the fluid insertion valve having an extending into either the first fluid chamber or the second fluid chamber, wherein additional viscous fluid may be introduced into either the first fluid chamber or the second fluid chamber through the fluid insertion valve.
 15. A shoe comprising: a medial side and a lateral side; an upper having a lasting margin; a sole member have an upper member and a lower member, a lateral side and a medial side, and a forward section and a rearward section separated by a midsole section, the upper member having a peripheral edge attached to the lasting margin of the upper, wherein the forward section comprises a first fluid chamber and the rearward section comprises a second fluid chamber; a viscous fluid disposed in the first fluid chamber and in the second fluid chamber; a channel disposed in the midsole section, the channel connecting the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber; and a valve body disposed in the channel wherein the valve body provides for a limited flow of the viscous fluid through the orifice between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber as the forward section and the rearward section are subjected to a change in loading as a user walks in the shoe.
 16. The shoe of claim 15 wherein the valve body comprises an axially-oriented aperture which allows flow therethrough of the viscous fluid.
 17. The shoe of claim 15 wherein the valve body may move forward and backward within the channel, and viscous fluid flows around the valve body as it moves forward and backward.
 18. The shoe of claim 15 wherein the channel comprises an inward facing wall which bound an outside facing surface of the valve body, and a peripheral flow channel is defined between the inward facing wall and the outside facing surface, wherein the viscous fluid may flow through the peripheral flow channel. 